Back at the end of May, I had the pleasure of reviewing the action at National Schools’ Regatta. At the time, I was high on a wave of rowing action and suggested that the ‘Old Guard’ had fallen. However, as I clicked ‘publish’, I was acutely aware that such a bold statement may well come back to haunt me, so let’s find out: is the New Guard here to stay?
Men’s Championship Eights:
“You know my methods, Watson.”
After sinking £50,000 on a new X87 Empacher, you would expect St. Paul’s to perform – and they did. Having emerged from a long NSR shadow, Bobby’s boys came through to win the championship men’s eights. In a crew entirely unchanged from a lack-lustre appearance just a few weeks ago, this is an excellent success as teams begin to knock at Henley’s door, but not an entirely unexpected performance. The top three at NSR – Eton, KCS and St. Paul’s – was always a house of cards, and as such, this weekend’s results are not the ‘upset’ some have claimed. We suggested that Kings’ performance at Dorney wasn’t a sign of what the rest of the season held for them, so it’s not an unexpected fall from the top. Eton, ever-secretive Eton, scratched from the event, leaving only one Nat School’s medalist, St Paul’s, to contend this weekend’s event. As such, their gold is not the redemption tale that some have asserted. For me, the true stars of this category are Shiplake, placing two highly competitive crews in the A final, with the top crew taking silver behind SPS after a disappointing 8th at NSR.
Looking ahead to the Royal, Eton and St. Paul’s are certainly the domestic crews to keep an eye on, but with Eton once again playing a no-show card this weekend, it’s impossible to rank them at this stage in the season. Be wary, though, boys: the internationals are on their way. We know St Joseph’s – affectionately ‘Prep’ – have booked their tickets and will be making a splash in Henley town as reigning national champions in the US. So who will take the PE? That’s anyone’s guess. The only certainty now is that HRR won’t be a walk in the park for anyone.
Women’s Championship Eights:
“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”
“Lady Eleanor Holles will be the favourites for the shiniest piece of silverware in the stewards’ cabinet.” Unfortunately, it seems I underestimated the racehorses.
The sharp end of women’s junior racing has so far this year been both tremendously exciting and highly deceptive. As we barrelled towards National School’s, my money was on Henley for this event, but with hindsight, LEH should have been my choice. So, as Henley Women’s rolled around, I thought I finally had my ducks in a row: LEH to win. Yet by the Saturday morning, I was once again proven wrong as Headington – who up until then hadn’t raced an eight all year – laid down an immense time trial before proceeding to walk all over the competition, winning the event ‘easily’. So what clarity does this weekend provide to the rankings? Very little. Headington did win the event and were joined on the podium by Henley and the four club ASRA composite. LEH didn’t race, and judging by the margin of loss at Henley Women’s, they could have claimed bronze yesterday. Henley’s showing at Brit Champs was impressive, placing two eights in the A final, but as Headington has proven, strength-in-depth is one thing; winning medals is quite another.
As far as Henley prospects are concerned, my money’s on Headington. They have the history, the pedigree and quite frankly, the speed. Henley and LEH won’t be giving them an easy ride, however, and could re-emerge stronger, with LEH, in particular, enjoying a quieter pre-Henley period.
Men’s Championship Quads:
“This is quite a three-pipe problem.“
A uniquely stable trio, Windsor Boys’, Leander and Tideway Scullers have so far topped the tables throughout the season; and to be clear, I don’t expect anything to change before the Royal. The more interesting debate is who will come through on finals day. Harking back to Nat School’s, it was Scullers who blew the established crews out of the water with a blistering time trial, with the phenomenal engine that is Gabriel Obholzer suppling the horsepower for a spectacular win. They were followed over the line by Windsor Boy’s and Leander, and at the time we cautioned that WBS have a habit of turning up late to the party and peaking for Henley, and with them climbing the ranks at Brit Champs to take the gold, it seems they’re on course for another win. Since NSR, TSS and Leander have closed ranks, with this weekend’s fight for silver coming down to a fifth of a second, whilst Windor Boys’ have strolled into a land of their own, taking gold ahead of their competition with a margin of over three seconds.
As crews prepare for Henley, it’s Windsor Boy’s that you should be watching. I would be astonished if either Leander or Scullers failed to make the weekend, but we’ve seen plenty of crews throw a spanner in the works before, so the Fawley isn’t a guaranteed victory for WBS.
Championship Women’s Quads:
“In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king.”
If you thought the women’s eight was complicated, think again. It only gets murkier from here.
At National School’s Headington were the favourites, with their top boat residing in the quad for the first time in years. Yet, it was Shiplake who came from seemingly nowhere to take the gold, taking Marlow and Headington across the line behind them. At Henley Women’s, however, this simple story was deconstructed, piece-by-piece. The first illusion to shatter was Headington’s dreams of a lighting quad, with the coaches opting instead to boat the eight that would eventually win the competition. In the time trial, it was ‘Wildcard Wycliffe’ who would dispel the next illusion, coming out on top and nudging Shiplake into second by just under a second, but an unfortunate meeting with the booms in the heats alleviated them of side-by-side racing duties after only a few hundred meters. Marlow remained stable, with the same crew progressing to the final, where Shiplake would beat them in a comfortable length and three-quarters. Then, come Brit Champs (we got there eventually), Shiplake and Wycliffe were once again sitting at the top of the Time Trial. Interestingly, only one member of the Shiplake crew that took the gold at NSR and HWR was in the boat yesterday, with two of the crew downsizing to the double, where they also took the win (a crew of a J16 and J17). At the same time, it was also a win for the final member of the ‘original’ Shiplake quad in the championship single – yes, that means a clean sweep for Shiplake in women’s J18 sculling. However, this new-look Shiplake crew was no slouch, with their quad taking the gold, followed by Wycliffe and York with the silver and bronze, respectively.
Henley? Well, the bees are a clear favourite, and after stunning performances in two (almost) entirely different quads, could we see two crews at the Royal from Shiplake? Perhaps, and with entries closing at 2 pm today, it’s not out of the question. Alongside them, I would expect to see Wycliffe at least make the weekend, if not lining up on Sunday, though if anyone can deprive them of a Henley final, it’s Marlow who, despite being absent at Brit Champs, have already laid down an intimidating gauntlet at NSR and HWR. Newcomers such as Wallingford and York will also be looking to cause upset. In all, therefore, although we have a clear favourite for the win, the Diamond Jubilee will be one of the most complex races at this year’s regatta.
Conclusions:
“Honey, you should see me in a crown.”
So, has the Old Guard really fallen? St. Paul’s and Eton will tussle for the PE, with the only fundamental uncertainty being provided by overseas crews. In the new junior women’s eights event, it looks as though Headington will clean up, though LEH and Henley might give them a tough time. The eights, therefore, remains the preserve of the establishment; the quads may have room for a breakthrough, though. If – and that’s a big if – Tideway Scullers can break through Leander and Windsor Boys’, they will take the crown in the Fawley for the first time, though that outcome looks increasingly unlikely. In the DJ, Shiplake are clear favourites, but their fate is far from secure with Wycliffe, and to a lesser degree in recent racing, Marlow snapping at their heels. Regardless, if any of these crews take the win, they will do it on behalf of their clubs for the first time.
The Old Guard then is experiencing more of a reshuffle than a full-blown revolution, not that it detracts from the quality of the racing we can expect in a little over three weeks.
We’ll see you there.
That’s all for now. If you’re hungry for more, check out any of our other pieces from The Catch, listen to the latest podcast episode, or flick through our race previews.
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